By Staff
RAISING THE WALLS n Steve Scitzs, along with several other helpers, raises a side wall during construction of the new Corinth Baptist Church in Damascus. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star.
By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 3, 2001
DAMASCUS A group of more than 100 volunteers Saturday began building a new Corinth Baptist Church to replace the historic building that was destroyed by fire six months ago.
The volunteers are part of an organization called Lauderdale County Builders for Christ, formed in 1978 to build a church in California. They have built a church each year since.
Corinth's building crew consists of congregation members from Collinsville First Baptist Church, Marion First Baptist Church, State Boulevard Baptist Church and members of the organization from Oklahoma.
Higginbotham said she and her husband, Rev. Robert Higginbotham pastor of Corinth Baptist Church have decided to help the group with their next church.
Corinth's historic church, built in 1906, burned on Dec. 11, 2000. The new church is being built a little less than a mile from the old church site on Highway 495 North.
Connie Chisolm, Corinth Baptist Church member for the past two years, said she is excited about the new church, but she will miss the historic building.
Rev. Higginbotham said there's been a lot of "meeting and hard work" put into building the new church.
Members were devastated when the church burned, especially some of the older members, Rev. Higginbotham said.
He said the Lord has built the congregation's faith during the experience, "from mine up to the last member's." A congregation of 18-25 in regular attendance has grown to more than 50 in the last few weeks, he said.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.